New laws benefit our Great Lakes

March 15, 2006

Michigan has finally taken its responsibility as a Great Lakes water guardian seriously enough to put it in writing.

Michigan now has new laws granting oversight of large water users such as manufacturers, utilities and water bottling plants, fulfilling a commitment the state made 20 years ago to protect the water in the Great Lakes basin.

Until last week, Michigan had been the only state in the Great Lakes region that had not passed laws to regulate large water withdrawals. In 1985, the state signed the Great Lakes Charter with the seven other Great Lakes states and Canada pledging to protect the world's largest body of fresh water from withdrawal or diversion.

But it had never gotten around to passing its own laws on such withdrawals. Some water law experts have warned that thirsty Sun Belt states or even foreign countries eventually will try hooking up to the Great Lakes as population growth further strains their already limited supplies. Withdrawals from Michigan's inland lakes and rivers also were a worry.

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The new laws were crafted by Republican and Democratic lawmakers, the Gran-holm administration, environmentalists, businesses and agricultural groups.

No one got everything they wanted. The effort took years to reach fruition, but resulted in balanced legislation that allows agricultural and commercial water users to meet their needs while still retaining water for recreation and for future use.

Some people say this law legalizes water diversion in this way. But the reality is there was nothing really governing the process before, although millions of gallons of water a day leave the basin.

Michigan has been a longtime opponent of greater government influence and control of water use. Now the state sees that to have a say, it needs to play its part, which will be a good thing for the Great Lakes.